St Kieran's Catholic School Mount Isa's new sacred space and reconciliation garden is now open.
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The new garden on the school grounds is a purpose-built place for quiet reflection, spiritual awareness and learning containing bush tucker plants,a yarning circle, large log seating and a fire pit.
At an opening ceremony on Thursday Principal Claudine Danks said the new garden was a concept that dated back to 2013 to create an outdoor space for quiet contemplation.
"After the school successfully obtained a Townsville Catholic Education Indigenous Education grant to develop a bush tucker or Indigenous knowledges garden the design evolved to embody local contemporary Catholic faith," Ms Danks said.
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"A collaborative approach has seen extensive community consultation with advice and expertise from traditional owners and artists, Mount Isa City Council, and local gardening and landscaping experts along with tireless efforts of parents and volunteers."
Townsville Bishop Tim Harris was on hand to formally open the reconciliation garden with the aid of two student leaders and artist Sheree Blackley who also designed a mural which references her Kalkadoon ancestors sharing their knowledge through culture, dance and Elders.
The garden contains a bridge over a riverbed which symbolises the local "Tharapathee" (the Kalkadoon word for the Leichhardt River) which the school says reconciles Indigenous spirituality with Christian faith.
There is also a wooden fence to represent the Argylla Ranges and the connection to country.
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